Donors Enrich DPS Schools With $540,000 for Music, Art, Sports

(Courtesy of Deadline Detroit)

Now for some good news about Detroit and its public schools.

Thanks to $540,000 from the UAW, Ford and other donors, lessons in creativity and athletics will return to each elementary and middle school, Jennifer Chambers reports in The Detroit News.

Sports, art and music are returning to elementary and middle schools at Detroit Public Schools after a donation by the United Auto Workers, Ford Motor Co., the Ford Motor Company Fund and the DPS Foundation.
Every student in grades K-8 at DPS will have the opportunity to play in an organized sport and every DPS elementary and middle school will offer arts/music programs, due to funding and a partnership announced Friday.

Detroit Youth Day participants at Belle Isle during a yearly event sponsored by the Detroit Public Schools Foundation.

Here's what supporters are giving:

• UAW-Ford National Programs Center: $355,000
• Ford Motor Company Fund: $125,000
• Detroit Public Schools Foundation: $60,000

The district plans to use other contributions and non-general fund revenue to cover the program's remaining cost, estimated at $1.2 million annually, Chambers reports.

 “With these organizations’ support, I am confident that Detroit Public Schools will provide the necessary enrichment experiences our children need in order to grow into well-rounded, dynamic and accomplished adults,” said Jack Martin, the district's emergency manager.

Parents on Friday got registration information for soccer, basketball and football teams that start as soon as Oct. 7, according to The News.

Read More: Detroit Public Schools gets $500K to restore sports, arts, music programs

Reference Link: http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/6572/donors_enrich_detroit_schools_with_540_000_for_music_art_sports#.UkhJb3_3NyE